One scenario the official discussed included the president barn-storming the country, telling the public that Democrats will put forward a bill to restore middle class tax cuts as soon as Congress convenes, and calling on them to pressure Republican congressional leaders to stop holding those tax cuts hostage in exchange for tax cuts for wealthier Americans.

So basically the deal is: Before January 1, Obama tries to get the GOP to freeze middle class taxes, and let upper-class (above $250K) taxes go back to pre-Bush levels. The GOP doesn't want to do this, and wants all the taxes to be held down together. This is a major sticking point. But they all go up on Jan. 1, and then the plan is for Obama to hector the GOP into just cutting middle class ones.

One other key thing here: Obama is already just by hinting this, looking more aggressive than he did at any point in the first term, when he was mostly on defense.

27. Welcome to DU, ReRe!

Glad you're here! He definitely needs to wage a charm offensive. JUMP on the victory he just won, and make it count. Mr. President, YOU have political capital now. Take advantage. This is a unique opportunity to strike early and strike hard!

11. Someone needs to tell Republicans that they are stupid

13. This is the great thing about Obama winning a 2nd term.

He can jab at the Republicans all he wants, and let taxes rise back up on the rich without worrying about billionaire-backed grassroots groups trashing his re-election chances. And the GOP will probably get most of the blame this time if taxes on everybody rise.

15. Extra security please.

16. Great Idea.

Take it to their home towns. Except for places where one might not be safe.. Sometimes , the districts of crazy congressman might have a significant number of loony constituents. It is a way to undercut their hardcore views. Don't just sit back and let them get away with it.. One might note, that was the position of some of the new Republican governors. Michigan's Rick Snyder did that . And it pretty much worked as a way to get what he wanted.

31. what I have said he needed to do, and I'm thrilled to be reading this! make them be accountable,

33. I once heard President Obama say that when it looked as if...

...the Republicans would block any healthcare reform--he said he took the case to the American people.

This is obviously what he is doing with the fiscal cliff.

The Republicans pull their bullying games inside the DC bubble. Can you imagine how sociopathic and disgusting they behave behind closed doors, when no one is watching? This is Obama's way of avoiding negotiations with the Republicans inside their dysfunctional bubble. Take it to the American people!

President Obama is on the right side of this argument too. Asking millionaires and billionaires to pay a little bit more is reasonable. In fact, it's horrible that they're fighting to avoid paying their fair share when the middle class is hurting--and when these same Republicans scream on and on about the horrors of the national debt.

Obama is just spotlighting their hypocrisy. If these sold-out, corporatist lemming Republicans want to toe the the line for greedy monsters--and if they want to continue serving their master Grover Nordquist--let them do it with the world watching their stupidity.